Body

Appearance

Nose

Palate

Dry, after early biscuit-sweetness. Enormous malt character contrasts with the fruitiness of the grape.

Finish

Very long, dry, oaky. Very faint peppery notes add spice, softened by very late caramel.

What I say:

The Distillers Edition range from Diageo represent something a little extra from their well-known range of classic malts. Each of these editions takes the standard maturation and adds a little finish in casks specifically selected to bring out the whisky character and make it shine whilst adding a little of the casks previous occupants influence too. For Glenkinchie “A light, floral whisky with a citrusy, creamy taste”, a further maturation in ex-Amontillado Sherry casks adds a little sweetness & fruit. Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2012 would make this whisky around 13 years old – suggesting Glenkinchie 12 Years Old with ~ 6-12 months in an Amontillado Cask.

Taste:

Light and creamy, slightly refreshing, the citrus is still present but is more like candied peel in a jammy reduction, the clementine and perhaps a little grapefruit peel display with a hit of acridity of the caramelised oak wood, this is quite syrupy in mouthfeel and the sweetness really persists, more zest and citrus fruit peel.

Finish:

Long, Sweet and drying, more orange citrus peel and zest, ginger and fudge or tablet

Overall:

This is a definite improvement on the standard Glenkinchie 12 Years Old, masses of sweet citrus fruit peel and zest really take-over and carry the cereal barley malt along quite happily. Initially quite light and refreshing but later becomes sweet and drying – moreish like crunchy nut cornflakes!